Timer



F. E. GRAY July 31, 1951 TIMER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7, 1947 H15 ATTORNEY y 31, 1951 F. E. GRAY 2,562,546

' TIMER Filed Feb. 7, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 122 (F B M21 INVENTOR.

T'LQYD E. GRAY 4 BY '7 v I v 3 mmm HIS ATTORNEY July 31, 1951 GRAY 2,562,546

TIMER Filed Feb. 7, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 154 m F g- INVENTOR.

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Hi5 ATTORNEY u y 1951 F. E. GRAY 546 TIMER Filed Feb. '7, 1947 f 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 INVENTGR.

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July 31, 1951 GRAY 2,562,546

TIMER Filed Feb. 7, 1947' 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR.

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Hus ATTORNEY y 31, 1951 F. E. GRAY 2,562,546

. TIMER Filed Feb. 7, 1947 7 sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR FLOYD gen/w Patented July 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMER Floyd E. Gray, Dayton, Ohio Application'February 7, 1947, Serial NIL. 721,205

3 Claims. 1

The invention relates to timers in which an electric motor drives certain elements through gear trains at a uniform rate of speed and is arranged to operate signals.

One of the objects of my invention therefor is to provide a device in which the driven elements may be preset to measure the length of any predetermined period. of time and in which. the driven elements, at the end of such time, operate a signal.

Another object of. my invention is to provide means for stopping" the motor at the end of the predetermined length of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby at the end of the predetermined length of time it is possible to disconnect the current from the signals by a manual switch; the: motor, the source of electricity, the switch, the connections, and the signal means being so arranged, however, that if thereafter the device is again preset for a timing operating without again operating said manual switch, the signals will inform the user of the necessity of again operating said switch.

A further object of my invention is to provide means which may be operated, if desired, to keep the signalling means in operation for a predetermined length of time and'to stop the operation of the motor and of the signals after the predetermined length of time has elapsed.

More specifically; it is object of my invention to provide in combination an automatic switch and a pair of cams, each of the cams being formed with a portion and these portions coacting with a cam follower in such fashion that the cam. follower must be aligned with the portions in order to have the automatic switch move in one direction and so arranged that if either of the portions is moved out of alignment with said cam follower, the automatic switch is moved by the nonaligned cam. portions in the direction opposite to that referred. to above.

A further feature ofmy' invention is the provision of a pair of cams which: are connected by an adjustable drive connection or coupling in. the formof a detent mechanism with driving means therefor. This feature provides for setting one cam independently of: the other so that the angular relationship between the cams can be maintained such that the cams come into exact alignment at a predetermined time as they engage the cam follower- Further objects and advantages: of the present invention will be apparent: from the: following description; "referencelbeinghaid to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings 2.

Fig. l is a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the timer shown. in Fig. 1 with a part of the front of the casing removed to show a portion of the interior construction thereof;

Fig. 3- is a fragmentary view in side elevation and on a larger scale showing the timer of Figs. 1 and 2 with the outer casing removed and. looking at' the timer as if from the left in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in rear elevation and partially in section, also on a larger scale, and showing the signal bracket assembly, the automatic switch assembly, and the attachment of both to the gear assembly, the view being taken substantially as if on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is: a fragmentary sectional view of the timer of Figs. 1 to 4,. inclusive, shown on a still larger scale and showing the details of the cam and the driving connections between the cams and the motor of the preferred embodiment of my invention, the section being taken as if on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View of the electrical connections'inthe position of the parts after the timer has been set for the measurement of a predetermined length of time and after the predetermined length of time has elapsed;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 6, showing the position of the parts after the predetermined length of time has elapsed and after the signal has been turned off by the manual switch;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 6, showing the position of the switches and other parts when the device has been operated to pre-; set a new timing interval without moving the manual switch to the usual timing position;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 6 showing the position of the parts after the timer has been set for the measurement of a predetermined length of time and after the manual switch has been moved to the usual timing position but before the predetermined length of time has elapsed;

Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation of another embodiment of my invention which is also shown for purposes of illustration thereof;

Fig. 11 is a view partly in side elevation but having portions broken away and portions shown in vertical section. as if, taken on the line H--'ll of Fig. 10, illustrating the structure shown in Fig. 10 on a larger scale and showing the details of the cams, and the driving connections between the cams and the motor;

Fig. 12 is a View partially in elevation and partially in section and on a reduced scale, the view being taken inside the front cover as if substantially on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11, with, how ever, portions of a gear wheel and a ratchet wheel broken away; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view in vertical section and also on a reduced scale, the section being taken substantially as if on the line I3I3 of Fig. 11.

Referring for a detailed description to the drawings and first to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6 it may be seen that I provide an input electric cord II4 leading from a source of electric power II5 to a switch H6 and thence to electrical wiring Ill. The wiring II1 includes leads Illa, H12), H10, I'I'1d, II1e, H13 and IIlg. I also provide outlet sockets I I8a and I IBb for purposes later to be de scribed. A casing H9 houses the timer mechanism which is generally designated as I20 (see Fig. 3). The timer mechanism I20 includes an electric motor I2I (the full details of which are not shown) but which (as is shown in Fig. 3) consists of a rotor unit I22 and a field and coil assembly I22a. The motor I2I is connected by wires I23 and I24 (Fig. 6) to appropriate portions of the electrical wiring H1. The timer mechanism I30 also includes a timer gear and cam mechanism generally designated as I25 (Fig. 3) and including a front gear plate I26 and a rear gear plate I26a. A clock face I21 (Figs. 1 and 2) provided with hands I26 and I29 is so cured to the front of the casing I IS.

The rotor I22 (Figs. 3 and 5) drives shaft I32 which is provided as is shown most clearly in 5 with a pinion I33 that meshes with a gear wheel I34 rotatably mounted on a hub I35. The hub is integral with a shaft I36. Friction clutch members I38 and I39 are secured to the shaft I36and bear on one side of the gear wheel I34. The shaft I36 has secured to its front end a sec- 0nd hand I28. The hub I35 has a cam disk I31 secured thereto.

A pinion I35a having gear teeth MI is formed on the hub I35 and meshes with teeth I420. carried by a gear wheel I42. The pinion I35a thus drives the gear wheel I42 which is in turn secured to a shaft I43. The shaft I43 is rotatably mounted in the front and rear gear plates I26 and I26a. The shaft I43 has teeth I44 formed thereon which mesh with and drive a gear wheel. I45. The teeth I44 are reduced as at I440. to clear the cam disks I31 and I49. The gear wheel I45 and an associated ratchet wheel I48 are sc-- cured to a sleeve I46. The sleeve I46 is free to rotate on another smaller sleeve I41 which sur rounds the shaft I36 and has a minute hand I29 attached thereto. Associated with the ratchet wheel I48 is the cam disk I49 which is secured to the sleeve I41 and is at times driven by a ratchet wheel I48 through a pawl device I53. The ratchet and pawl thus provide an adjustable drive connection between the two timer cams whereby one cam can be set independently of the other. With this mechanism the angular relationship between the two cams can be maintained so that the cams will come into exact alignment at a predetermined time as they ro- 'tate into engagement with the cam follower I53. To maintain the synchronism between the cams,

the ratchet wheel I48 is provided with a numher of teeth equal to the gear reduction between the cams. Thus, for example, when the minute hand is set by turning it partially around the dial, the ratchet and pawl mechanism insures that the angle to which the hand is turned will exactly represent an integral number of revolutions on the second cam.

The cams consisting of the cam disks I31 and I49 are provided with cam follower actuating portions herein shown as notches I52 (the notch in disk I31 being individually designated as 152a and the notch in disk I49 being individually designated as I52b) into which at times a cam follower or roller I53 (see Figs. 4 and 5) rides. When the notches I52a. and I52b of the cam disks I31 and I49 are in alignment with the cam follower I53, the follower will enter the notches I52a and I522) (See Fig. 4). This will cause a rocker arm I50 (on which the roller I53 is mounted) to operate the automatic switch I54 as follows: As the follower I53 enters the notches I52 it allows arm I50 to be moved slightly upward and thus relieving its pressure on the link I54d; this allows the resilient contact member I54a to move upward toward member I540 to close the contacts I55 and I56 and to open the contacts I51 and I58; movement of either of the disks I31 or I49 from the position shown in Fig. 4, so that the cam follower I53 no longer remains in notches I52a and I52b, will bring the outer end of the rocker arm I50 down again and thereby move the contact member I54a downward toward the member I54b to close the contacts I51 and I50 and open the contacts I55 and I56.

The electrical circuit diagrams, shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, show the various operating conditions of the motor and signalling means. Fig. 9 shows the timer set for the measurement of a predetermined length of time but before the pre" determined length of time has elapsed. The contacts I51 and I58 are closed and the switch I30 is positioned to the right. Under these conditions, the motor I2I is in operation while the signalling means (the light I59 and the bell IBI) are off or inoperative. After the predetermined length of time has elapsed, the notches I52 of cam disks I31 and I49 will have moved into alignment with the cam follower I53 as shown in Fig. 6. The contacts I55 and I56 will then be closed and the' contacts I51 and I58 will be open. When the timing mechanism has been moved to the position shown in Fig. 6. the motor I2l is inoperative and the signalling means (the light I59 and. the bell I6I) are in operation. In the event further timing operations are contemplated, the hands I28 and I29 are reset. This moves the cams I31 and I49 and moves the automatic switch I54 so that the contacts I55 and I56 are separated and the contacts I51 and I58 are closed. Thus the condition of Fig. 9 again prevails and the timing operation may be repeated.

In the event, however, that no further timing operations are immediately contemplated, the switch I60 is moved to the open or off position as seen in Fig. 7. This shuts off the signalling means and maintains the motor inoperative. Should now the hands of the timer be set to measure any desired time, the switch I60 should again be closed. However, should the operator fail to move the switch I60, the signals will remain in operation and warn him of his failure as indicated in Fig. 8. Moreover, should for any reason it be desired to have the signalling means on for'a predetermined length of time, the switch 60 may be moved to the left, as in Fig. 8 orif the drawings, the driving mechanism being enclosed in a casing 22 and operated by an electric current connected thereto by the electrical leads 23 and 24; and a timer gear and cam mechanism assembly 25 which together with the motor 2| are housed and carried in a casing [9. The assembly 25 includes front and rear gear plates 26 and 26a which support the gear trains. A clock face 21 is mounted on the front of the casing I9.

Referring especially to Fig. 11, I have shown the electric motor 2 I, contained within the casing 22, driving a shaft 32 which is provided with a pinion 33. The pinion 33 meshes with a gear wheel 34 which is formed integral with a hub 35. The hub 35 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 36. Frictional clutch members 38 and 39 are secured to the shaft 36 and bear on one side of the gear wheel 34. The shaft 36 has secured to its end the second hand 28. (See Fig. 10.) It also has a cam disk 31 secured thereto.

Gear teeth 4| are formed on the hub 35 and they in turn mesh with and drive a gear wheel 42. The gear wheel 42 is secured to a shaft 43. The shaft 43 has a'pinion 44 provided thereon which meshes with and drives a gear wheel 45. The gear wheel 45 is formed integral with a ratchet Wheel 48 and the unit comprising the wheel 45 and the Wheel 48 is rotatably mounted as at 46 on a minute sleeve or shaft 41. The sleeve 41 has the minute hand 29 attached thereto (see Fig. 10). Adjacent to the ratchet wheel 48 is a cam disk 49 which is integral with the sleeve 41 and is at times driven by the ratchet wheel 48 through the pawl or friction device i.

The cams which consist of the cam disks 31 and 49 (previously referred to) are each provided with notches like the notch 52 (shown in disk 49 in Figs. 12 and 13) into which at times a cam follower 53 of the switch device 54 rides. When the notches 52 of the disks 31 and 49 are in alignment with the cam follower 53, the follower 53 enters the notches 52, as is shown in Fig. 12. The switch device 54 comprises a central spring conductor 54a, an outer spring conductor 54b and an inner spring conductor 540. The central spring conductor 54a carries contacts 55 and 58. The outer spring conductor 541) carries a contact 51. The inner spring conductor 540 carries a contact 56. The cam follower 53 is also carried by the central spring conductor 54a. When the alignment (referred to above) occurs, the switch device 54 is moved so that the contacts 55 and 56 are closed and contacts 51 and 58 are open. A movement of either of the disks 31 or 49 so that the cam follower 53 no longer is in alignment with both of the notches 52 will result in the contacts 55 and 56 being opened and the contacts 51 and 58 being closed. The closing of the contacts 55 and 56 creates an electrical circuit similar to that shown in Fig. 6 which operates a light signal and/or a bell signal.

In describing the operation of the device of Figs. -13, inclusive, let us assume the condition of the device in which the timer is preset for a predetermined length of time and the signal means is maintained inoperative. The synchronous electric motor 2! then drives a shaft 32 and the pinion 33 thereon. Pinion 33 drives the gear wheel 34 which in turn drives the shaft 36 and the cam or disk 31. The pinion 4| integral with the wheel 34 drives the gear wheel 42 and the pinion 44 which drives the gear wheel 45 and the integral ratchet wheel 48. The wheel 48 in turn drives the cam or disk 49 by means of the friction device 5|. The members 45, 48 and 49 thus at such times rotate with the sleeve 41.

Cam 31, being on the second shaft 36, rotates at a greater speed than the cam 49, but the speeds are proportional. When the predetermined time length has elapsed, the notches 52 of cams 31 and 49 become aligned with each other and with the cam follower 53 so that the follower 53 enters the notches 52. The signalling means are thu operated and the motor 2| is stopped.

I have herein provided a timing mechanism in which the driven elements ma be preset to measure the length of any predetermined length of time and in which the driven elements at the end of such time will stop the motor and operate a. signal. The signals may be turned off without starting the motor if desired. The parts may be again reset to indicate the passing of a desired interval of time. However, if this is done without positioning the manual switch in the desired setting, the signals will indicate this necessity. The time mechanism can also be so set that the signalling means will be in operation for a predetermined length of time after which time the motor and the signalling mean will be inoperative.

While the form of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a timing device, in combination, a shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the shaft; a sleeve journaled on the shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the sleeve adjacent the first mentioned hand; a rotatable element secured to the sleeve and rotatable therewith; a motor; driving gearing between the motor and the shaft and sleeve for effecting synchronized movements of the shaft and sleeve at relatively different rates of speed of rotation, said driving gearing including a sleeve journaled on the first mentioned sleeve, a gear secured to the second mentioned sleeve for rotating the latter, a rotating element secured to the second mentioned sleeve and rotated by the latter, one of said elements being a ratchet gear and the other of said elements being a cam, and a spring pressed pawl secured to the cam element and yieldably engaged between the teeth of the ratchet gear element; and indicatin mechanism actuated by the cam.

2. In a timing device, in combination, a shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the shaft; a sleeve journaled on the shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the sleeve adjacent the first mentioned hand; a cam secured to the sleeve and rotatable therewith; a motor; driving gearing between the motor and the shaft and sleeve for effecting synchronized movements of the shaft and sleeve at relatively different rates of speed of rotation, said driving gearing including a ratchet wheel sleeve journaled on the first men tioned sleeve, a gear secured to the ratchet wheel sleeve for rotating the latter, a ratchet wheel secured to ratchet wheel sleeve and rotated by the latter, and a spring pressed pawl secured to the cam and yieldably engaged between the teeth of the ratchet wheel; and indicatin mechanism actuated by the cam.

3. In a timing device, in combination, a shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the shaft; a cam on the shaft and driven thereby; a sleeve journaled on the shaft; an indicating hand on the end of the sleeve adjacent the first mentioned 9 hand; a rotatable element secured to the sleeve and rotatable therewith; a motor; driving gearing between the motor and the shaft and sleeve for efiecting synchronized movements of the shaft and sleeve at relatively different rates of speed of 5 rotation, said driving gearing including a sleeve journaled on the first mentioned sleeve, a gear secured to the second mentioned sleeve for r0- tating the latter, a rotating element secured to the second mentioned sleeve and rotated by the latter, one of said elements being a ratchet gear and the other of said elements being a cam, and a sprin pressed pawl secured to the cam element and yieldably engaged between the teeth of the ratchet gear element, said cams being axially disposed side by side and having conforming camming surfaces; a cam follower bridging the camming surfaces; and indicating mechanism actuated by the cam follower. v

FLOYD E. GRAY.

'10 REFERENCES cn'nn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,202,721 Anderson May 28, 1940 2,459,107 Johnson Jan. 11, 1949 2,461,599 Graef Feb. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 181,354 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1936 453,892 Germany Dec. 22, 1927 592,442 Germany Feb. '7, 1934 

